Book Review: The Weird Sisters by Eleanor Brown

This debut novel by Eleanor Brown was so surprising, so different, so witty, I can’t wait to share it with you.We meet the Andreas sisters. Named for characters from Shakespeare, their father a professor of the Bard, they are Rosalind, Bianca, and Cordelia, or Rose, Bean and Cordy. Now grown but home again, using the guise of supporting their parents as their mother has a major health issue. However the sisters move home to find some sort of comfort, stability as they are all hiding their own shortfalls and errors. Rose is in love and engaged, but she’s not getting tenure in her college position, and her fiance is going to England. Bean has been embezzling from her employer, and when discovered she is quickly shown the door. Cordy has been on the road, living here and there, sleeping with men and moving on, only now she’s pregnant.Books are an integral part of the Andreas family, and Rose is obsessed with making sure books aren’t left open straining their spines, she is forever putting bookmarks in books.

One of the best parts of this book is that it’s written in first person plural, and amazing style I couldn’t remember reading before. It’s as if the sisters are as one, yet separate. The sisters are like most families, related but unique. I am one of 3 sisters so I can relate. I see myself most like one of the sisters, but I’m not saying, maybe you can guess after you’ve read the book. The sisters fled the small town of their youth, searching for the answers to the questions we all have when maturing, and yet they never expect to find the answer at home, together again. Their father speaks mostly in Shakespeare lines, but there is no need to have an intricate knowledge to relate to the story. It actually brought me back to reading many of his works in my earlier life.I love this first novel from Eleanor Brown, and I had the opportunity to meet her last month. She had me when she mentioned rewarding herself by going to the Dairy Queen!!!I recommend this book to anyone with siblings, and anyone who doesn’t but would like to see the workings of three sisters, the adversity, the support, the love.I am giving this book 5 out of 5 stars.

When I met Eleanor, I tried to convince her that this book needed a sequel, and I really hope that she might think about it! It was such a great read, and I would love to find out just what happens to the sisters after some time has gone by. Great review on this one, Anita!

Also, congrats!! I posted this in the Magical Musings comments, but if you haven’t seen it yet, you won Laura Spinella’s book this week. Email me with your mailing address (marilynbrant AT gmail DOT com) and I’ll pass it along to her so she can send you Beautiful Disaster!